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Audi e-tron Sportback full electric luxury crossover SUV car on display at Brussels Expo

5 Electric Performance Cars You Need to Know About

Electric vehicles have been hot headlines recently. Automakers are racing to the drawing board to design sustainable and capable EV rides. For enthusiasts, watching some of these more performance-based EVs hit the market is downright invigorating. Whether you’re new to the performance EV segment or consider yourself an aficionado, here is a roster of a …

Electric vehicles have been hot headlines recently. Automakers are racing to the drawing board to design sustainable and capable EV rides. For enthusiasts, watching some of these more performance-based EVs hit the market is downright invigorating.

Whether you’re new to the performance EV segment or consider yourself an aficionado, here is a roster of a few of the best electric performance cars on the market today that know how to hustle.

The Audi e-tron Sportback

Audi e-tron Sportback full electric luxury crossover SUV car on display at Brussels Expo
The Audi e-tron Sportback electric luxury crossover | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

The 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback is a stylish and impressive looking electric vehicle. Audi’s first attempt at the battery-driven car is landing in European dealerships this spring and will be available here in the U.S. later this year. It’s an adaptation of the current e-tron platform but with all the bells and whistles you might expect from Audi.

The 55 Quattro model is expected to achieve a combined 413 lb-ft of torque, derived from an electric motor at each of the two axles. The eight-second burst in Sport mode cranks that torque up to 489 lb-ft. Audi says enthusiasts can prepare to go 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and it has the capability of hitting 124 mph.

The Porsche Taycan electric performance vehicle

Porsche launched its answer to the Tesla Model S, and fans are loving the Taycan. You can buy a Turbo, Turbo S, and soon the 4S for upwards of $150,900. In true Porsche fashion, this sleek EV can get up and go with a 0-to-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, and you can get there in 2.6 seconds with the Launch Control boost feature. It’s capable of hitting 161 mph on track trials.

All of this power is hard to imagine a result of a battery, but the two-transmission and independent motor per axle design harnesses serious muscle. The critics say the range is ‘dismal’ with 192-201 miles. But then again, range may not be why you want one.

Tesla’s Model 3, Model S, and Model X electric vehicles

You can’t have a top EV performance list and not include the Tesla lineup. Of course, of the three cars in the portfolio, the Model X takes the cake in terms of style, power, and range. However, all three are worth the mention as top performers. The Model X brings all the fast and sporty best of the Model S, only it’s bigger and offers more room. It also has those Lamborghini-flavored doors.

Each of the EVs in this lineup is equipped to seriously perform and is available in a variety of designated ranges and prices. While not as pricey as the Porsche Taycan, expect to dole out $79,999 for the 328-mile range Model S and more if you choose to add the flashy wheels or Tesla’s autonomous driving technology assistance features.

The Jaguar I-Pace

Ok, so maybe this SUV isn’t your first consideration for performance, but it should be. The precision-focused weight distribution juices 512 lb-ft of torque for true sports car driving experiences. The experts didn’t expect an EV from Jaguar, but all seem pleasantly surprised.

It can cruise for 234 miles on a single charge and offers enough room to be a comfortable SUV. But, don’t assume this barely-crossover rendition is reserved just for getting groceries. It is a Jaguar and will perform and handle like one. The starting MSRP is $69,850, and it’s definitely worth a look if you want to get your heart pumping.

The BMW i3

Another notable mention in the EV arena is the BMW i3. Comparatively, it’s more affordable than some of the other top performers at around $44,450 to start. But, it’s also bringing something entirely different to the table – the carbon-fiber chassis. This design reduces the vehicle’s overall weight, which is helpful with its shorter 153-mile range.

When you think of electric vehicles, you may not immediately associate them with performance, luxury, or fun. This is just a shortlist of models, but they’re worth a look if you’re ready for an all-electric, curve-gobbling, upscale EV.

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